What is a Retainer?
A retainer is a custom appliance made for your teeth after active orthodontic movement is complete. Clear retainers are removable trays, Hawley retainers use acrylic and wire, and fixed retainers use a slender wire bonded behind selected teeth. Some patients use more than one type.
Your orthodontic provider selects the design and wear schedule based on the original tooth positions, bite, age, oral hygiene, and risk of relapse. Retainers do not guarantee that teeth will never move, but wearing them as prescribed is the best way to minimize unwanted shifting.
When might it be recommended?
- You have completed treatment with braces or clear aligners.
- An existing retainer is lost, cracked, warped, or no longer fits.
- You notice new spacing, crowding, or movement after orthodontic treatment.
- A fixed retainer is loose and makes cleaning difficult.
